New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-12
COLUMBIA AND THE UNIVERSITY.
NOT ALWAYS REGARDED AS FAIR SISTERS

AN APPEAL ISSUED TO THE PUBLIC BEFORE THE
YOUNGER INSTITUTION WAS FOUNDED.
The eyes of the public were directed toward Column
bia College last Wednesday, attracted by the priian'
display OF learning exhibited at her 1850 annual COM
men cement in the Academy of Music. On Thursday
OF this week the people will watch with pleasure TUG
respug OF another educ aona harvest OF four years
growth, in the dtty fifth annual commencement Oh .ne
University of the City OF New-York, which VIII Do
held In the place 1t may be OF interest TO tne
friends ofboth institutions to recall the manner IN
which the younger received by her older ssef
when she first made her appearance, and the iohow-
ing is quoted from address delivered to the. cu-
zens Of New-York on the claims OF Columbia college,
the university" when the latter existed only
in Anticipation
a1he frat question whic oh demands consideration IN
reference to the university which u Is proposed to
organize IT, whether II be not desrabe to secure ZOE
the objects contemplated by thst institution the o9
operation OF a college already established and Ehio9
Possesses large endownents. BY United energies anu
conce atcd resources the project OF an INSTITUTION
afording the means OF education TO all without as
tinctOn of sect profession, can be best enecteu
What should prevent the contemplated uniy erstyj
however 1t may be constituted, from being hubJe teo
to the influence OF the most powerful or most numer
GUS sect or party In the community DO tnat Seo'
party what 10 may
Literature is so potent In Its sway and colleges and
universities are such mighty engines loi operation on
the human principles anu character, that reigious
communities always nave had them, and Will always
seek to have them, under their management; AS Inc
nuply by the stockholders, sooner or later, the as
graceful strife OF religious sects, coniiictng ior tne
ascendency will be heard within its walls. Inc duset
Of Its sacred seats will be interrupted by tine ON OF
political sectional parties cOntendiug Tor predomi
nance. valuable to them in proportion to the sength
and importance and resour es OF the Institution.
Hitherto our colleges have not been disgraced anu
injured by theological political conflicts. The mode
of organizing the university will infsliby SUBJECT IL
this most serious hazard and will tQrow into our
community new prize to awaken discord ana eh-
bitter contention Let the friends OF the sacred IN.
teress of literature and religion and OF the peace ana
order of the community pauselbefore they make thls
novel aud dangerous experiment.
=" 1t is urged that the university Is nothoste 70
Columbia College, and will not nure It and that. on
the contrary tho rivalship between the institutions
Ill promote the interests of education and science
The supposition merely plausible. It is not sup
ported by facts. There no reasonable data whlcn
the conclusion that two colleges Can at pres
ent flourish in the city. Columbia College cannot con-
teld with university which Is to enjoy the concen-
trated wealth IatrOnage and influence OF the great
bulk of our ctzens 1t the university be estaollsheu
what will she be compelled to dol Precisely what
Episcopa ians will have no cause to lament -what
those who her OF sectaran views should Do tne
first to prevent. She must in iact.bec0me what sue -
now only bY injurious imputation an Episcopal COL
lege dcyoted to Episcopal views. rlVal insutuuon
diverts from that support of the community When
we Imperiously need. We have no alternative put 10
cast ourselves your patronage and bounty Glve US
more means and will exhibit lin our institution tue
happy union OF religion and neutrality-suspicious. in that
form approved by your Judgments sanctioned Dy your
condolences and dear TO yOuI best feengs ue cls-
Gems OF New York have now an opportunity 10 pre-
vent forever Columbia College from beng thus de-
voted to sectarian purposes, and TO make her em-
phatically a city college,"